IDEC Southeast Regional Conference.

The IDEC Southeast Regional Conference was an amazing experience. The conference provided me with a clearer understanding as to the need and importance of interior design education. It was amazing to see so many people together in one place with such a common goal as the bettering of the interior design profession through education.
A lot of educators at this conference were discussing ways to evolve the Master's Degree into a Master of Interior Design (MID) degree. Those supporting the degree feel it could clarify the interior design degree and erase the confusion of a MS, MA, or the MFA in interior design. I am not certain I agree with such an offer mainly because it seems we are titling the degree to the profession and that profession is still looking to define itself.
Being a graduate student at this conference was mind blowing. Every school represented at the conference were looking for new hires for the Fall 2008 year. The graduate students getting their MFA or PhD, were the stars of the show. Major universities and schools across the Southeast and other parts of the country like Minnesota.
VA Tech's campus was impressive. The design studios were located in a new facility and were quite impressive. The students remained at one desk and the instructors came to them. This layout allowed for a lot more personalization of space by the students. It look to have a positive effect on the students.
This was a great networking experience and has revitalized my interests in becoming an interior design educator.